Meet The Beavers: Stephen Thompson Jr.
October 20, 2015 | Men's Basketball
The Oregon State men's basketball team opens its regular season on Saturday, Nov. 14 against Northwest Christian at Gill Coliseum. To help preview the 115th season in school history, and Year II of the Wayne Tinkle coaching era, we sat down with the team's newcomers to find out more about them.
Guard Stephen Thompson Jr. was a MaxPreps All-American and the CIF Southern Section Division IV Player of the Year as a senior at Bishop Montgomery High School. He was a Del Rey league all-star three years in a row, participated in numerous top prospect camps and was ranked in the top 63 players in the country by Rivals.com, ESPN and Scout.com.
A prospective digital communication arts major, he graduated from Bishop Montgomery with a 4.33 grade-point average, was a George Montgomery Scholar, and received the school's St. Anthony Award.
Do you remember your first dunk?
THOMPSON: “I was going into my sophomore year, working out with my father and my brother. I could dunk with my left hand, off of my right leg. We had been working on it for a few weeks. After we'd finish our workout, my dad told me to go up and try to dunk. I finally got it one day.”
What pregame routines or superstitions do you have?
THOMPSON: “I don't have any superstitions or anything. I just listen to music, stretch my hamstrings out and I'm ready.”
What number would you choose if you could choose your own number?
“I would take No. 1. I've always had No. 1, it's my favorite number. I took No. 2 because it's the closest thing to No. 1. I asked Gary (Payton II) to play 1-on-1 or to shoot for it but he wanted to keep it.”
What is the best sports movie you've ever seen?
THOMPSON: “Probably 'Remember the Titans.' It's a very good, very impactful movie that teaches a lot of important values, like teamwork and family.”
Which Pac-12 city are you most looking forward to visiting?
THOMPSON: “Oh Los Angeles, definitely, my hometown. Getting a chance to play in front of a lot of family and friends, I'm looking forward to that. I've played in the Galen Center before, but never in Pauley Pavilion.”
What other sport did you like to play growing up?
THOMPSON: “I played football until the eighth grade. I liked playing football but I didn't like going to practice. I liked playing in the games. I played wide receiver. I had good hands.”
Do you prefer to play Call of Duty, FIFA 16, or Madden 16?
THOMPSON: “Right now it would probably be FIFA, because everybody on the team plays FIFA. I didn't used to play, but everybody on the team does. I'm getting used to it. At first I thought it was pretty hard but it's a fun game now. I use AC Milan, with (Mario) Balotelli.”
What would be your favorite vacation destination?
THOMPSON: “I like Puerto Rico. The beaches are nice and I'm half Puerto Rican. I like it there.”
Have you ever seen video of your father playing for Syracuse?
THOMPSON: “Oh yeah, I've seen a lot of video of my dad in college. Great athleticism, great competitiveness and toughness, and competitive experience. An excellent player. I definitely look back and (tell him), 'Dang, dad, I didn't know you could to that.' He still thinks he can beat me in 1-on-1, but I don't think he can beat me anymore.”
Were you a Syracuse fan growing up?
THOMPSON: “Somewhat, not like a crazy, crazy Syracuse fan, but I liked the program.”
